Comparative study on the mechanical behavior and durability of polypropylene and sisal fiber reinforced concretes

This investigation aims to compare the mechanical behavior of concretes reinforced with polypropylene and sisal fibers. Both fibers were 51 mm long and were incorporated in fractions of 3, 6 and 10 kg/m(3) into the matrices. The composites were tested under three-point monotonic and cyclic flexural loads. Pullout tests were performed to study the fiber-matrix interaction. It was observed that the sisal fiber could provide the same level of residual strength as the polypropylene fiber, as long as the equivalence of the dosages of the fibers is taken into account. The composites were classified according to fib Model Code 2010 based on parameters obtained from flexural tests. The durability of the composites was studied by assessing the flexural behavior after wetting and drying cycles. Concrete reinforced with both fibers did not present mechanical losses after the cycles. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.